Autumn has officially arrived. Not remotely my favourite time, but not one of us has any control over the seasons.
We were extremely lucky to end the summer on a high note: stunning blue skies and +30 temperatures. Of course, I spent as many hours as possible riding my bike in some of my favourite spots. And I felt extra lucky, as I was supposed to be leaving for Montreal, but the air traffic control strike gave me a reprieve.
But the weather here this time of year can be fickle. The Mediterranean is still very warm, mixed with cold air coming from somewhere (I have no idea how this actually works, but I’ve read that this time of year, in particular, is extra unpredictable) and can create some spectacular storms. Which is exactly what transpired on the very first day of autumn.
My friends Katie and Ben returned to Provence and were keen on a bike ride. Given I am running short on time and trying to get to all the best routes, I begged them to come out on one of my favourites, albeit a bit climby and risky, given they were calling for some major thunderstorms. But we all checked the Meteo and it said nothing would arrive until late afternoon. Alas, they were wrong; we could see it coming in and knew we wouldn’t escape it. We were high up on the plateau when the lightning started, and all I wanted to do was descend and get the heck out of there. Thankfully, the driving rain only started the last four kilometres or so, but it was soaking and very cold. I channelled my inner Belgian and time-trialled back to the car without really being able to see much. I threw my bike in the car, but had to wring out all my clothes. Water just sloshing out of my socks, jersey, jacket, etc. Gross.
An hour before the storm.
I then had the added enjoyment of driving back home with numb fingers (even though I had the heat set at +30, I was still shivering) through what seemed like the worst of the tempest. Huge areas were flooded out, rivers of water gushing down hills, and sewer drains overflowing. I was just happy to have made it back without having to stop anywhere. The weather carried on like that for the rest of the day.
Yes, autumn, you love being dramatic, don’t you? But you can keep your drama, I’d much rather have the easy-peasy warm days and nights of summer!
I want flip flops, heat, blue skies, and sunshine to never end :)
